Wassilij Stefan Kalmik

On February 5th Wassilij Stefan Kalmik joined his wife in heaven at the age of 85.

Wassilij is survived by his children Karol Skelton, Gary Kalmik, Randy Kalmik, Robbie Kalmik, Anne Bell, and grandchildren Jeremy Fanning, Sheldyn Bell, Shayla Bell, Shenee Johnson, Samantha Kalmik, Allayna Stevens, Joshua Kalmik and Justin Kalmik, and many great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his mother, father, his wife Dana, his son Allan Kalmik, and grandson John Fanning.

On January 10, 1937 a special man named Wassilij Kalmik was born to Anna Stankovitch and Stefan Kalmik in Nish, Yugoslavia. Wassilij, known to many as Bill, joined the United States Air Force in 1957. He served our country as a technical sergeant until he retired in 1978. Throughout the past 40 plus years he continued to contribute to our country and its veterans as a Gold Circle member and to many other charities.

It was 1960 when Bill met and married his honey, the love of his life, Dana Kalmik. For over 50 years they built a wonderful life together and raised 6 children. Bill greatly enjoyed traveling with Dana in his RV, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and he loved to collect movies. He had a unique gift of being able to strike up a conversation with anyone and become instant friends.

Wassilij, or grandpa as I called him, was a man of faith. He was a strong but loving voice in our family who created and captured a lifetime of memories while he was here with us. He was so loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A small military service will be held for friends and family at a date to be determined. Please contact the family for details.